Epidemiology of malaria in the Taabo health and demographic surveillance system, south-central Côte d'Ivoire.

Fidèle K Bassa,Moussan N’Cho,Nahoua Baikoro,Eliézer K N’Goran,Kigbafori D Silué,Mahamadou Traoré,Mamadou Ouattara,Bassirou Bonfoh,Jürg Utzinger,Lukas G Adiossan,Siaka Koné

doi:10.1186/s12936-015-1076-6

Abstract

Background A deep understanding of the local epidemiology of malaria is essential for the design and implementation of setting-specific control and elimination efforts. In Côte d’Ivoire, new initiatives are underway to reduce the burden of malaria, which requires high-quality longitudinal data. The epidemiology of malaria was studied in the Taabo health and demographic surveillance system (HDSS) in south-central Côte d’Ivoire and implications for control are discussed.MethodsTwo cross-sectional surveys were carried out in the rainy season of June/July in 2010 and 2011. Inhabitants of approximately 7 % of randomly selected households in the Taabo HDSS were invited to participate. People were clinically examined, ear temperature was measured and spleen size determined. Finger-prick blood samples were collected and subjected to a rapid diagnostic test (RDT). Additionally, thick and thin blood films were prepared on microscope slides and diagnosed under a microscope for Plasmodium infection and parasitaemia. Haemoglobin (Hb) level was determined using a HemoCue device.ResultsA total of 1187 and 1264 people in 2010 and 2011, respectively, had complete data records. The prevalence of Plasmodium infection was 46.0 % in 2010 and 56.6 % in 2011, owing to a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). Males showed a higher Plasmodium infection prevalence than females (49.6 and 62.8 % versus 42.6 and 51.2 %; respectively, in 2010 and 2011; both p < 0.05). The highest malaria prevalence was observed among infants and young children (aged ≤9 years). The risk of Plasmodium infection was significantly higher in villages compared to small hamlets and urban settings (p < 0.05). Fever, Hb level and splenomegaly were associated with parasitaemia.ConclusionMalaria is highly endemic in the Taabo HDSS in south-central Côte d’Ivoire with considerable spatial heterogeneity of Plasmodium infection. There is a pressing need to scale-up control interventions against malaria.

Highlights

A deep understanding of the local epidemiology of malaria is essential for the design and implementation of setting-specific control and elimination efforts
This study provides important information on age, sex- and residency-specific Plasmodium infection rates, parasitaemia and anaemia in the Taabo health and demographic surveillance system (HDSS) where malaria remains the main cause of death
The public health significance of malaria calls for concerted efforts to control this mosquitoborne disease

Summary

Introduction

A deep understanding of the local epidemiology of malaria is essential for the design and implementation of setting-specific control and elimination efforts. In Côte d’Ivoire, new initiatives are underway to reduce the burden of malaria, which requires high-quality longitudinal data. The epidemiology of malaria was studied in the Taabo health and demographic surveillance system (HDSS) in south-central Côte d’Ivoire and implications for control are discussed. Substantial progress has been made in the understanding of the epidemiology of malaria and ways to control or eliminate the disease. In Côte d’Ivoire, an over 10-year long sociopolitical crisis jeopardized malaria control. It must be noted that there is a paucity of accurate and coherent information about the local epidemiology of malaria.

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